If your fall quarter was anything like mine, you were also sitting in front of your TV every Tuesday for Dancing with the Stars. Suddenly, my roommates and I all became professional dance critics. who judged each celebrity week by week. Before this year, I was someone who had been watching DWTS only through TikTok highlights. After the first episode, I was hooked.
Season 34 is the first in decades where viewership rose for five straight weeks after the premiere. What made this season SO good? Social media was louder than ever. Between theme nights of TikTok and Wicked, influencer and reality-star casting, and backstage TikTok live clips, DWTS stopped being just a Tuesday-night pastime and started feeling like a living, breathing pop-culture event.
By finale night, fans weren’t just watching, they were teamed up. The live broadcast drew a record-shattering 72 million votes, more than any other finale in DWTS history. With three dances in the finale (Instant Dance Challenge, Freestyle) and non-stop social buzz, you get one of the most electric and unpredictable seasons yet. It was hard to keep up with all the buzz online and my personal group chats with friends.
When this past Tuesday night rolled around, Season 34 closed with a three-hour finale and a cinematic finish: 21-year-old wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and pro dancer Witney Carson raised the Mirrorball Trophy after a final showdown that felt less like reality TV and more like a story-book ending.
The final five
As more and more perfect scores were given out each week, the finale was more competitive than ever. With Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa, Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach, and Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten, the final five all had unique strengths that made each dance captivating to watch.
Here’s a breakdown of the finalists that kept us hooked and my mediocre opinions from a non-dancer viewer:
Robert Irwin & Witney Carson — The Mirrorball Champions
Robert Irwin had fans swayed since week 1. His first dance was so powerful and dynamic for a week 1 dance that fans were convinced he would win from the start.
In the finale, Robert and Whitney’s performance lineup consisted of a Quickstep (“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet), a Freestyle (“Black & Gold” by Sam Sparro & “The Nights” by Avicii), and a Cha-Cha for the Instant Dance.
But their win was more than just about steps and scores. Robert dedicated his performance (and the win) to his late father. He carried familial love and legacy onto the dance floor with grace and gratitude.
To make this even more special, he also followed in the footsteps of his older sister Bindi, who won Dancing with the Stars Season 21. 10 years ago, Robert sat in the audience and watched his sister win, and now he was able to take home the trophy himself.
The picture perfect ending was sentimental and well deserved.
Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy — Runner-Ups
With her popstar vibe and showgirl confidence, Alix Earle quickly became a fan favorite. Dancing alongside Val Chmerkovskiy, she delivered some of the season’s most impressive numbers. By finale night, judges awarded them a perfect 90 out of 90 — the highest judge score of any couple on the night.
In my opinion, the mirrorball could have gone either way. Alix seemed to be the most improved dancer with her performances often questioning if she was the pro or the celeb.
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
Watching an Olympic gymnast pivot from bars and vaults to chacha and tango? Wild. Jordan’s finale freestyle was my personal favorite dance of the night. She brought a character and swag that I had been waiting to see from her all season.
Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
They didn’t start the strongest, but every week they got better, fresher, more cohesive. Their fourth-place finish reminded us hard work and heart can take you far.
Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
Elaine brought a unique, more cinematic style. Some of their numbers felt straight out of a red-carpet musical. Their presence added theatrical flair to the final five, and they deserve so much credit for elevating the vibe. Her finale freestyle was an entire musical production. Each week I was ecstatic to see what they would produce.
At the end of the day, Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars didn’t feel like a rerun. Marking the show’s 20th anniversary, this season came with a burst of energy and creativity that made even longtime fans sit up and take notice.
This season felt alive, unpredictable, and totally of the moment. It turned into a cultural phenomenon because this season had it all: TikTok energy, serious celebrity glow-ups, heartbreak, redemption, and real stories that didn’t just play out on screen but lived in group-chat rants, social-media screenshots, and late-night debates over who deserved the Mirrorball.
When Robert Irwin and Witney Carson finally lifted that Mirrorball trophy, it wasn’t just a victory for them; it felt like a win for every finalist for their determination, raw emotion, and confidence. Against stiff competition, a perfect-score finale from Alix Earle, the athletic grace of stars like Jordan Chiles, and cinematic performances from champs like Elaine Hendrix. Robert and Witney’s win proved that sometimes heart and hustle matter as much as technique.